Rep. Samantha Steckloff

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a new legal definition for "vulnerable transportation device" to the Michigan Vehicle Code. It classifies human-powered vehicles, electric bikes, electric skateboards, and electric personal assistive mobility devices as vulnerable transportation devices. The law is designed to work in conjunction with related bills that establish traffic rules for these vehicles. If the other linked bills are not passed, this specific definition will not take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Michigan's criminal code to increase penalties for moving violations that result in physical injury or death to vulnerable roadway users, such as pedestrians and cyclists. It specifically raises the severity of charges and potential prison sentences for accidents occurring in work zones or school bus areas, as well as for incidents involving operators of farm equipment. The legislation requires the simultaneous passage of three companion bills to take effect, ensuring a coordinated approach to strengthening accountability for traffic offenses involving vulnerable road users.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance companies in Michigan to reimburse telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person office visits. It mandates that insurers cannot deny coverage for remote care if the service is appropriate and provided by a licensed professional in the patient's state. The law defines telemedicine as remote communication using secure audio or video technology or online messaging. While patients still pay the same copays and deductibles as they would for a physical appointment, the insurance coverage itself must be equal to that of face-to-face care.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that Michigan's Medicaid and Healthy Michigan programs reimburse telehealth visits at the same rate as in-person office visits. It directly affects healthcare providers and patients who use remote medical services by ensuring financial parity between virtual and physical appointments. The legislation does not alter existing rules about where telehealth can be conducted or who must verify patient eligibility, but it specifically mandates equal payment rates for these services.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Michigan's Medicaid and Healthy Michigan programs to expand coverage for telemedicine services, specifically clarifying that visits originating from a patient's home or school are covered. It defines a "distant site" as the location of the healthcare professional providing the service, allowing for both audio-only and video interactions. The legislation requires providers to verify patient eligibility, ensure a private environment for the visit, and follow clinical guidelines while prohibiting restrictions on reimbursement rates or technology that are more strict than those for in-person care. Additionally, it ensures that services delivered through federally qualified health centers are eligible for reimbursement and mandates that managed care programs include these telemedicine services in their rate development.

Maddy summaryHB 5505 allocates state funds for Michigan's public universities for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, directly affecting institutions like Michigan State University, Central Michigan University, and others. The bill establishes a total gross appropriation of approximately $2.29 billion, drawing primarily from the state general fund and federal revenues to cover operational costs, per-student funding, and specific research programs. It amends existing sections of the State School Aid Act to update financial figures and repeal previous acts, ensuring the budget reflects current funding levels for each university.

Maddy summaryHB 5504 allocates $549.5 million in state funds to Michigan community colleges for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The bill specifies exact dollar amounts for operations, performance funding, and North American Indian tuition waiver costs for each participating college. By amending the State School Aid Act, it updates the financial records to reflect these specific budget allocations for the upcoming year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance policies in Michigan to cover treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections. The law specifically mandates that these plans include coverage for therapies such as intravenous immunoglobulin. It applies to all health insurance policies delivered, issued, or renewed within the state, as well as those issued outside the state for Michigan residents. The changes take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan's drug treatment court rules to clarify that violent offenders are generally ineligible for admission unless specific exceptions are met. Under the new provisions, a judge and prosecutor must consult with any known victims before allowing a violent offender to enter the program, and individuals currently charged with or convicted of first-degree murder or certain sexual offenses are automatically excluded. The legislation also outlines detailed requirements for pre-admission screening, which must include a review of criminal history, an assessment of potential danger to the community, and a clinical evaluation of substance abuse issues. Additionally, the bill ensures that information gathered during this screening process remains confidential and cannot be used in criminal prosecutions unless it reveals crimes other than personal drug use.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Michigan law to restrict who can be admitted to mental health courts by explicitly banning violent offenders from participation. Specifically, it prohibits admission for individuals charged with or convicted of first-degree murder or first-degree criminal sexual conduct, unless both the judge and the prosecutor agree to an exception. The legislation also clarifies that admission remains a discretionary decision for courts based on legal and clinical eligibility rather than a guaranteed right. Additionally, the bill outlines requirements for pre-admission screenings, which must include reviews of criminal history, risk assessments, and clinical evaluations of serious mental health conditions. Information gathered during these screenings is kept confidential and cannot be used in criminal prosecutions unless it reveals crimes other than personal drug use.